Deluge myth facts for kids
A Deluge myth or Flood myth is an old story about a giant flood. These stories are found in many cultures around the world. Often, a god or gods send this flood to punish people or a whole civilization.
Well-known flood myths include the story of Noah's Ark from the Bible. Another is the Hindu story of Manu. In Greek mythology, there is the story of Deucalion. The ancient Epic of Gilgamesh from Mesopotamia also tells of a great flood and a character named Utnapishtim. These stories are important parts of different cultures' beliefs and histories.
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What is a Deluge Myth?
A deluge myth is a traditional story about a huge flood. This flood usually covers a large area, or even the whole world. In many of these myths, the flood is not a natural event. Instead, it is sent by a powerful being, like a god. The reason for the flood is often to destroy a bad or corrupt society.
Why are Flood Myths Important?
These stories often teach lessons about right and wrong. They show how people should behave. Many myths also explain how the world was reset or reborn after the flood. They can also show how a new group of people or a new way of life began.
Famous Flood Stories
Many cultures have their own versions of a great flood. These stories share some common ideas. However, they also have unique details that reflect their own traditions.
Noah's Ark (Bible)
The story of Noah's Ark is found in the Bible. God decides to send a flood to destroy all living things because people have become very wicked. God tells Noah to build a large boat, called an ark. Noah is told to take his family and two of every kind of animal onto the ark. When the flood comes, only Noah, his family, and the animals on the ark survive. After the flood, God promises never to destroy the world with a flood again. A rainbow is a sign of this promise.
Manu's Flood (Hinduism)
In Hinduism, the story of Manu is similar. Manu is a wise human who is warned by a fish. This fish is actually the god Vishnu in disguise. The fish tells Manu that a great flood is coming. It instructs Manu to build a large boat. Manu puts his family, seeds of all plants, and two of every animal into the boat. The fish then guides the boat through the flood. After the flood, Manu helps to restart life on Earth.
Deucalion and Pyrrha (Greek Mythology)
In Greek mythology, Zeus, the king of the gods, decides to send a flood. He wants to punish humanity for being evil. Only Deucalion, a good man, and his wife, Pyrrha, are saved. They are warned by Deucalion's father, Prometheus. They build a chest or ark and float on the water for nine days. After the flood, they land on a mountain. To repopulate the Earth, they throw stones behind them. These stones turn into new people.
Utnapishtim (Epic of Gilgamesh)
The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the oldest stories ever written. It comes from ancient Mesopotamia. In this story, the hero Gilgamesh meets Utnapishtim. Utnapishtim tells Gilgamesh about a great flood. The gods decided to destroy humanity with a flood. But the god Ea warns Utnapishtim. He tells Utnapishtim to build a boat and save his family and all living creatures. Utnapishtim survives the flood and is granted eternal life by the gods.
Common Themes in Flood Myths
Many flood myths share similar ideas, even if they come from different parts of the world.
- Divine Punishment: The flood is often sent by gods to punish humans for their bad behavior.
- A Chosen Survivor: There is usually one person or family who is warned and saved. This person is often good or righteous.
- Rebirth of Humanity: The survivors then become the ancestors of a new humanity. This new world is often better than the old one.
- Animals Saved: Animals are often saved along with humans to restart life on Earth.
Images for kids
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George Smith, who discovered and translated the Epic of Gilgamesh
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Earth's sea level rose dramatically in the millennia after the Last Glacial Maximum
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The Deluge, by Francis Danby, 1840. Oil on canvas. Tate Gallery
See also
In Spanish: Diluvio universal para niños
